Hellcat Build Pics

[Oldyzracer1]

I built a propeller and “stabbed” out the die cut balsa parts, to kick things off.

[Oldyzracer1]

Fuselage is mostly assembled. I am trying out some “infilling” with balsa at the front to make the cowling smooth. 48 pieces carefully fitted! So far so good; next some rails for a sliding canopy, and the retractable tail wheel.

[Bill Gaylord]

Looks good with the fuse stringers. Should have a clean look when covered.
I built one of these years ago and still never got around to flying it for some reason. Have thought about building the Corsair lately too.

[Oldyzracer1]

Just about ready for covering. Retractable gear and sliding canopy are on there: like Edbecky said: “get all the fun out of it”! The gear seems like it is pretty solid except for the tail wheel which is a little sketchy.

[Oldyzracer1]

Tail wheel needed a little reinforcement, so I deviated from the plans and epoxied some tubing in there.

[Oldyzracer1]

Better.

[edbecky]

Looking good !! I like your tail wheel mod.

[Oldyzracer1]

Thanks Ed! I got a lot of fun out of the retractable gear this time. I’m only mildly annoyed that I glued the struts on with the oleos at the rear rather than at the front. This time I can say that I put everything in the box onto the kit, once it gets finished up.

[Oldyzracer1]

Finishing up the covering.

[Oldyzracer1]

It took me about three layers of tissue to get a nice smooth-ish finish.

[Oldyzracer1]

On its wheels.

[Scott]

Looks solid & very well built,just like a 1:1 Hellcat.I think I read that the WW2 saying for Hellcats was
that they were built by "Grumman Iron Works"

[Oldyzracer1]

Control surfaces, trim tabs and cockpit glued in place.

[Scott]

Very nice work,cockpit interior looks sharp too.

[Oldyzracer1]

Sliding canopy slid back.